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अधोमुखी स्त्रीस्तनतुल्यताप्तये
प्रतप्य तीव्रं सुमहत्तरं तपः।
यदा न तामाप तदा हृदि स्फुटं
विदीर्यते पक्वमिषेण दाडिमः॥

A metaphorical comparison: the pomegranate bursts when denied the female breast (downward-facing), symbolizing burning desire and failure to fulfill i...

desire (898) metaphor (1632) pomegranate (3) frustration (39) sensuality (306) heat (60) longing (690) symbolism (947) pain (225) imagery (157)

अधोमुखैकदंष्ट्रेण विषशुक्रप्रवाहिणा।
अनेन दुश्चिकित्स्येन जगद्दष्टं भगाहिना॥

A terrifying creature with downward-facing single fang and venomous flow has devoured the world—imagery likely pointing to destruction or misfortune p...

destruction (292) demon (12) venom (4) apocalypse (5) imagery (157) danger (229) poison (101) fear (252) mythical being (1) chaos (59)

अधोऽर्धे लक्षणं यस्य परार्धे नैव दृश्यते।
अधमः स भवेत् खङ्गः क्षितीशानां भयावहः॥

A sword whose mark is below but none above is inferior—metaphor for a person who lacks higher qualities but has only lower ones, dangerous to kings.

sword (39) metaphor (1632) kingship (164) quality (23) danger (229) symbolism (947) lower nature (1) ethics (803) power (396) discernment (142)

अधोऽर्धे वर्ण एकः स्याद् ऊर्ध्वार्धे भिन्नवर्णकः।
वर्णसंकरवान् खड्गो नृपाणां भयवर्धनः॥

A sword with one color below and a different one above is flawed and dangerous to kings—implying mixed or deceptive character is a threat to rule.

sword (39) mixed nature (1) danger (229) symbolism (947) deceit (83) appearance vs. reality (3) kingship (164) weaponry (12) ethics (803) power (396)

अधोविधानात् कमलप्रवालयोः
शिरःसु दानादखिलक्षमाभुजाम्।
पुरेदमूर्ध्वं भवतीति वेधसा पदं
किमस्याङ्कितमूर्ध्वरेखया॥

Even though divine feet, like lotus petals, should be revered, people bow to heads of kings due to worldly customs. Why then did the Creator mark the ...

irony (348) social norms (31) worship (89) satire (211) reverence (112) divinity (206) brahma (37) custom (6) symbolism (947) head vs. feet (1)

अध्ययनमित्रसङ्ग- प्रवेशयात्राविवाहदानेषु।
शुभकार्येष्वखिलेष्वपि शस्तः सोमाध्वगः पवनः॥

During study, friendships, travel, marriage, donations, and all auspicious activities, the southern breeze (Soma wind) is most favorable.

auspiciousness (73) friendship (209) study (29) marriage (104) wind (88) travel (44) nature (950) customs (10) omens (14) soma (1)

अध्यस्तान्ध्यमपूर्वमर्थधिषणैर्ग्राह्यं पुमर्थास्पदं
लक्ष्यं लक्षणभेदतः श्रुतिगतं निर्धूतसाध्यार्थकम्।
आम्नायान्तविभातविश्वविभवं सर्वाविरुद्धं परं
सत्यं ज्ञानमनर्थसार्थविधुरं ब्रह्म प्रपद्ये सदोम्॥

I surrender to Brahman, the supreme truth and infinite knowledge, which is beyond dualities, transcends all definitions, and is the goal of the Vedas ...

brahman (19) truth (300) knowledge (279) vedanta (34) non-dualism (4) philosophy (290) liberation (230) surrender (223) vedas (53) ultimate reality (4)

अध्याक्रान्ता वसतिरमुनाप्याश्रमं सर्वभोग्ये
रक्षायोगादयमपि तपः प्रत्यहं संचिनोति।
अस्यापि द्यां स्पृशति वशिनश्चारणद्वन्द्वगीतः
पुण्यः शब्दो मुनिरिति मुहुः केवलं राजपूर्वः॥

Though a king dwells in a hermitage, enjoying all pleasures, he practices penance daily, and his fame sung by celestial sages makes him akin to a sage...

king (200) sage (44) renunciation (267) fame (166) penance (43) duality (134) dharma (540) celestials (2) virtue (726) inner life (2)

अध्यापयन्ति शास्त्राणि तृणीकुर्वन्ति पण्डितान्।
विस्मारयन्ति जातिं स्वां वराटाः पञ्चषाः करे॥

Coins (money) today teach scriptures, belittle scholars, and make people forget their caste—commentary on how wealth manipulates respect and learning.

money (12) satire (211) learning (126) respect (164) society (152) irony (348) knowledge (279) corruption (65) value (170) caste (24)

अध्यापितस्योशनसापि नीतिं प्रयुक्तरागप्रणिधिर्द्विषस्ते।
कस्यार्थधर्मौ वद पीडयामि सिन्धोस्तटावोघ इव प्रवृद्धः॥

Despite learning political wisdom from sages, you still harbor malice—so tell me, should I suppress you like an overflowing river ravaging the shore?

politics (111) malice (10) anger (185) wisdom (1611) ocean (160) threat (6) metaphor (1632) ethics (803) strategy (222) punishment (78)

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